The high-performance version of Audi’s small executive car, the A4, is called the S4. The original Audi S4, which was produced from 1991 to 1994, was a sportier variation of Audi’s 100saloon/sedan. Since 1997, the Audi A4 has served as the foundation for all succeeding S4 models. As the A4 has changed from one generation to the next, so has the S4.
The S4 has always received numerous improvements over its more mainstream 100 and A4 siblings, including a more potent internal combustion engine, larger improved brakes, a stronger suspension, larger wheels, and distinctive sheetmetal, design cues, and badging. The S4 is the top-of-the-line trim of the A4 family in markets where the even more potent Audi RS 4 is not available. [1][2]
All S4 variations have had front-mounted, longitudinally orientated engines, just as their normal A4 counterparts. The original C4 version used a 2.2-liter inline five-cylinder turbocharged engine, but the B5 generation used a 2.7-liter twin turbocharged V6 engine. The BMW M3 and Mercedes-Benz C55 AMG, which at the time featured a 3.2 L inline 6-cylinder engine, were in direct rivalry with the B6 and B7 versions due to their shared 4.2 L V8 engine, which was the first time a V8 engine was installed in a compact executive automobile. The B8 generation is in competition with the Mercedes-Benz C350, the BMW 335i, and the BMW 335i/340i xDrive thanks to its supercharged 3.0-liter V6 TFSI engine. [1] Instead of a supercharger like the previous generation, the recently released B9 generation is propelled by a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 TFSI engine. The Mercedes-Benz C450 AMG/Mercedes-AMG C43 4MATIC and BMW M340i xDrive are rivals of this generation. [3] [4]
All S4 models feature a transaxle-style transmission that is longitudinally located directly behind the engine, and like all Audi “S” models, the S4 is only offered as standard with Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive (AWD) system, which employs a Torsen-based center differential system.
[5]
Since the model’s introduction in 1991, all variants of the S4 have been produced at Audi’s facility in Ingolstadt, Germany; they are, or have been, offered in four-door, five-seat saloon and five-door, five-seat Avant (Audi’s designation for an estate car/station wagon) body styles. In the B6 and B7 generation A4 lines, a two-door, four-seat Cabriolet (convertible) S4 variation was offered. The Audi S5 nameplate is used to advertise the “S” variation of the B8 Cabriolet, which is now manufactured using the A5 coupe body type.
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Has the Audi S4 been retired?
Beginning in August 1991, the factory produced the first-generation Audi S4 (Typ 4A), also known as the Audi 100 S4, which served as the performance variant of the recently revised C4 platform 100 four-door, five-seat saloon. It was created to replace the departed Audi 200 quattro turbo, which was based on the C3 and had been retired at the end of 1990. It had been Audi’s first real sports-saloon. [6] [7] Audi’s first S4 model is frequently known to as the Ur-S4 because of this; the name comes from the German: Ursprnglich augmentive word (meaning: original).
In 1994, Audi made some minor updates to the C4-based model line and did away with the 100 nomenclature; all of the former Audi 100 line’s variations were then rebadged as the Audi A6. Audi temporarily stopped using the S4 name in accordance with the change in model name and started selling an updated but essentially identical version of the vehicle based on the “new” A6 and badged as S6. Despite the moniker change, the main distinctions between the exiting S4 and the new S6 were aesthetic.
Between October 1992 and July 1994, a more potent, pricey, and exclusive model known initially as the S4 Plus and eventually as the S6 Plus was offered.
[5] Built in relatively small numbers, the “Plus” vehicles included several performance enhancing enhancements; notably the adoption of Audi’s 4.2-litre V8 engine in favor of the then current inline-five engine.
After a brand-new Audi A6 based on the C5 made its debut for 1997, the S4 and S6 were clearly distinguishable cars with significantly different underpinnings.
In July 1994, the C4 variation S4’s factory manufacturing came to a stop after less than three years.
[5]
Ayrton Senna, who had a silver Avant and was the distributor for Audi in Brazil, was among its most well-known owners.
Is there an Audi S4 for 2022?
There are three trim levels for the 2022 Audi S4: Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige. An eight-speed automatic transmission paired with a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine (349 horsepower, 369 lb-ft) powers all models. All-wheel drive is required.
What issues does the Audi S4 have?
The numerous engine seals on the Audi S4 from 2000 to 2002 frequently leak oil. The valve cover gaskets and the camshaft chain tensioner gasket are the parts that leak the most frequently. Oil leaks from the S4 are reportedly extremely frequent, according to an owner.
The 2020 Audi S4 is dependable.
With a 2.0 out of 5.0 reliability rating, the Audi S4 is ranked 27th out of 31 premium midsize automobiles. Poor ownership expenses are indicated by the $1,171 average yearly repair cost. You can anticipate more major repairs for the S4 because both the frequency and severity of repairs are higher than those for the ordinary vehicle.
Cost
In comparison to the $739 average cost of premium midsize automobiles and the $652 average cost of all vehicle models, the total yearly cost of repairs and maintenance for an Audi S4 is $1,171.
the typical annual sum for unplanned maintenance and repairs for all model years of a car. A vehicle’s greater average cost alone does not imply that it is less dependable. For instance, your car’s parts and labor may be pricey, especially if it’s a European luxury model, but if there are few serious problems and frequent service visits on average each year, that’s a sign of a dependable vehicle.
The typical annual frequency at which a vehicle is taken in for unplanned maintenance and repairs. This metric is produced by monitoring millions of distinctive automobiles over a number of years to ascertain the typical yearly visits for each make and model. Controls were included to prevent small, routine shop visits, such those for oil changes.
The severity element of dependability calculates the likelihood that a repair will cause a significant problem. The cost of a repair is assessed to be excessively expensive given the unscheduled nature of the repair if it is three times the average annual repair cost for all models. Due to their more expensive labor and component expenses, premium and luxury brands have a higher barrier.
Frequency
Owners of Audi S4s need to take their cars in for unplanned repairs on average 0.9 times a year, as opposed to 0.6 times on average for luxury midsize cars and 0.4 times on average for all vehicle models.
Severity
The Audi S4 has a 17 percent chance of having a serious or major repair issue, compared to a 12 percent average for luxury midsize automobiles and 12 percent for all vehicle types.
What does the S in S4 stand for?
The “RS” (“Sport”) specification level of the standard model range of Audi is clearly above the highest performance “top-tier” trim level offered by the automaker. 8 Sept 2020.
TFSI stands for what?
The turbo fuel stratified injection engine is Audi’s most often used engine (TFSI). When gasoline is pressure-injected into the engine’s combustion chamber to provide an immediate charge, this is referred to as the turbo aspect.
The TFSI engines’ direct fuel injection combined with turbo or supercharging technology results in a powerful ride while using up to 15% less gasoline than a V6 engine.
So how does it function? Direct fuel injection improves efficiency and responsiveness by eliminating heat from the intake air, which raises compression and eliminates knock.
Is the S4 from Audi turbocharged?
The S4 has a powerful 3.0-liter V-6 engine with supercharging that produces 333 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is the default, although a seven-speed dual clutch automatic transmission is also an option. Through Audi’s quattro system, power is distributed to all four wheels.
The Audi S4 is turbocharged, right?
The S4’s engine was its most crucial component. It was a 3.0 liter, direct-injected, turbocharged V6 engine. It was connected to an ordinary 8-speed torque converter tiptronic gearbox.
Is the Audi S4 a sporty vehicle?
The 349-horsepower Audi S4 is ideal for traveling quickly without attracting too much attention. You can enjoy the power and performance of this under-the-radar German sports sedan’s understated elegance without getting hot under the collar (or conspicuously breaking the law). Give the youngsters with racing stripes and slapped suspensions the fines for speeding The S4 is too developed for these inconveniences.
Are S4s decent vehicles?
Highs Performs covertly, is simple to drive quickly, and has a modern cabin. Lows Small passenger space, monochrome interior, not the fastest compared to the competitors. Verdict The S4 is a fun vehicle that is more comfortable than its high-performance sports sedan rivals.
The 2017 Audi S4 is dependable.
Reliability issues with the Audi S4. 39 complaints from S4 owners span 25 model years. It has genuine gearbox and engine issues, and our PainRankTM algorithm has placed it 13th out of 19 Audi models in terms of overall reliability.
The 2018 Audi S4 is dependable.
This is undoubtedly one of the Audi S4’s shortcomings. Even lower than the average overall score of 52 for Audi, WithClutch only gives the S4 a reliability rating of 43 out of 100. Annual maintenance costs are considerably expensive ($1,171) compared to the $651 average cost of annual repairs. The S4 requires substantial maintenance 2.67 times more frequently than the average car over a three-year period for which data is available (1.3 times).
Of course, depending on a variety of aspects related to a certain S4’s past, you can end up spending more or less than this. However, in general, you should anticipate paying very high ownership costs if you plan to buy a used 2018 Audi S4. Of course, that is certainly a point that you should take into mind generally when you are shopping for a high performance executive car. Even if their value has decreased over time, premium cars still cost a lot to maintain.